Thefastpharma. Health news blog
Apr 29
(SIX MINOR ZONES)-2ND MAJOR ZONE—IRIS-WREATH, BLOOD AND MUSCLE ZONES In order to elucidate the second major zone—Blood and Muscle zone it will be necessary to clarify understanding of the iris-wreath (= Autonomic wreath). As is well known, the nutritional substances absorbed in the stomach and intestines are not all taken up from the blood, but [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
(SIX MINOR ZONES)-2ND MAJOR ZONE—IRIS-WREATH, BLOOD AND MUSCLE ZONES
In order to elucidate the second major zone—Blood and Muscle zone it will be necessary to clarify understanding of the iris-wreath (= Autonomic wreath). As is well known, the nutritional substances absorbed in the stomach and intestines are not all taken up from the blood, but also partly from the lymph stream. Therefore, the state of the lymph stream as denoted by the
iris-wreath must also be considered.
If the area for central nervous system is located directly around the pupil
(Pupillary margin—Neurasthenic ring) then the area for the vegetative nervous system is to be located in the iris-wreath. The signs which appear in connection with disturbances of these systems will be described under the Sign-indications.
The designation Blood Zone for the third minor zone is so chosen since the blood supports all organs of the whole body. Also, the continuous movement of the lymph occurs because of the pulsation of the blood and the effect of muscular activity upon the autonomic nervous system. As we realise, the heart must occupy a special position in this zone, and in fact the right heart is located in the right iris at 45′-50′, and the left heart in the left iris at 10′-15′. The aorta is located in the left iris at 8′-10′.
Besides the heart, the pancreas, kidneys, adrenals and hypophysis, are also located in the second major zone, with their particular signs commencing at the iris-wreath.
The pancreas is seen in several places. The position of this gland in the body corresponds to:
The head of the pancreas—from 49′-52′ and 10′-12′ in the right iris. (The head of the pancreas is embryologically separate and extends to the transverse part of the pancreas.)
The long body and tail-end extends to the spleen, and is indicated when affected at 38′-42′ and 19′-22′, in both irides, also commencing directly at the iris-wreath.
The kidneys are shown when diseased at 28′-30′ in the right iris, and at 30′-32′ in the left iris. Like the kidneys, the suprarenal glands have their positions directly at the iris-wreath—in the right iris at 30-32′ and in the left iris at 28′-30′.
The hypophysis lies, beginning close to the iris-wreath, in the right iris from 6o’-63′, and in the left iris from 57′-60′.
The urinary bladder is also to be seen in the second major zone, at 23′ in the right iris, and at 37′ in the left iris. The prostate gland is sometimes shown at the same location adjacent to it, towards the iris-rim.
The gall-bladder has its area in the right iris from 37 ‘-39′, and the uterus from 26′-27′—also in the right iris. The area for rectum is found in the corresponding area of the left iris—32-34′.
The tonsils lie at 13′—14′ in the right iris, and at 46-47′ in the left iris. The disease signs of these last named organs, like the urinary bladder, prostate gland, gall-bladder, uterus, anus and tonsils, have no direct connection with the iris-wreath. One can thus distinguish between a
gall-bladder and a pancreatic condition when presented.
The bronchi show their signs mainly as extending from the iris-wreath to the sixth minor zone (Scurf rim): right iris 43 ‘-45′, and left iris 15′-18′. The trachea registers in the right iris at 12′-14′, whereas in the left iris the oesophagus shows at 46′-48′ in the corresponding position.
In this diagram the muscle zone is also shown. In this case it is not a question of seeing all muscles, as for example those of the stomach and intestines, but of assessing the general state of the voluntary muscles and the heart muscle.
The state of the muscular system is shown in the iris by the appearance of the lacunae. If the lacunae appear inside the iris-wreath, then the state of the muscle layers of stomach and intestines is indicated. When small lacunae are observed outside the rim of the iris-wreath, then a lability of the circulation is indicated. When the lacunae extend to the muscle zone, then the muscle fibres of the organs indicated by the particular areas involved are weakened through defective blood supply. If the lacunae extend fully to the iris margin, then it indicates that even the bones and mucous membranes suffer from nutritional disturbances.
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Apr 28
Aspirin is probably the most commonly used home remedy of all and the one parents think of at once in the face of any crisis. Paracetamol is a non-aspirin alternative with similar properties. Both are available as flavored, chewable tablets, and in liquid form, and aspirin is available in the form of rectal suppositories. Both [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
Aspirin is probably the most commonly used home remedy of all and the one parents think of at once in the face of any crisis. Paracetamol is a non-aspirin alternative with similar properties. Both are available as flavored, chewable tablets, and in liquid form, and aspirin is available in the form of rectal suppositories. Both come in different strengths, and when you buy you should check the label to make sure that the strength is appropriate to the age of your child. Aspirin or paracetamol tablets can be crushed and mixed with a little stewed apple, jelly, or ice cream to make them more acceptable to the child. Whenever you disguise a medicine this way, however, you must be careful to watch that the child takes the whole dose. Aspirin suppositories should not be used. Their rate of absorption is uneven, and they present a greater risk of aspirin poisoning than other forms of this drug.
Until recently, aspirin substitutes such as paracetamol were used primarily when a child couldn’t take aspirin for one reason or another. It has now been suggested, however, that the use of aspirin, especially when given to a child with chicken pox or the flu, may be associated with a condition known as Reye’s syndrome. This is a relatively rare form of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) that also involves the liver.
Although it has not been proven that aspirin causes or promotes Reye’s syndrome, it is recommended that aspirin not be given to children with chicken pox or influenza. Paracetamol, however, has not been linked to Reye’s syndrome and is an acceptable substitute. If you are in any doubt about the use of aspirin or paracetamol for your child, consult your doctor.
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Apr 28
There are about 20 varieties of poisonous snakes in Australia. Parents should discover if they occur in the area in which they live and learn how to identify them. If a child is bitten, try to kill the snake and take it to the hospital with the child, for correct identification of the snake will [...] [...more]
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There are about 20 varieties of poisonous snakes in Australia. Parents should discover if they occur in the area in which they live and learn how to identify them. If a child is bitten, try to kill the snake and take it to the hospital with the child, for correct identification of the snake will permit the appropriate anti-venom to be given, which may be life-saving.
Treatment
Immediately apply a firm, constricting bandage over the snake bite and along the whole length of the limb. This should be as firm as bandaging a sprained ankle. This reduces both the production of lymph and its absorption and flow back towards the heart. The bandage should be kept in place until medical help is available, and may be tolerated for several hours without distress or damage to the limb. (There is no need for the use of a tourniquet in any case of envenomation in Australia.) Immobilize the whole limb by applying a splint, using a stick, a piece of wood or even rolled cardboard. Reassure and rest the victim, elevate the limb and transport to the nearest hospital or medical centre. Do not wash the wound, cut it, attempt to suck out the poison or allow the victim to use any physical effort.
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Apr 23
Reaching 100 years of age used to be so extraordinary that NBC weatherman Willard Scott devoted a few seconds of the Today show to wishing those long-lived “pretty ladies” and “fine gentlemen” much congratulations and continued health on that miraculous milestone. Nowadays, Today could devote half its air time to wishing 100-year-olds well. Just in [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
Reaching 100 years of age used to be so extraordinary that NBC weatherman Willard Scott devoted a few seconds of the Today show to wishing those long-lived “pretty ladies” and “fine gentlemen” much congratulations and continued health on that miraculous milestone. Nowadays, Today could devote half its air time to wishing 100-year-olds well.
Just in the 10 years between 1980 and 1990, the population of people older than 85 years increased by 40 percent. By 1990, there were about 30,000 people who lived past the 100-year mark. If we stay this course, researchers predict that by the time 2080 rolls around, there could be as many as 10 million centenarians. As this legion of graying Americans pushes into triple digits, it’s likely that the record for maximum life span-currently set at 122 years-will be broken.
But where do we reach our limit?
It depends on whom you ask. There are two camps in the study of longevity. One believes that medical technology promises to churn out a future of modern-day Methuselahs. They contend that life expectancy, which is the estimated number of years that a person is expected to live on average, will reach 100 in the next generation. And soon, living to 200, 300, or more will not be out of the question. The second camp believes that all species have a genetic program for growth, development, and reproduction that inadvertently leads to a biological limit to life. As far as life expectancy goes, we’ve just about reached the practical limit, says Dr. S. Jay Olshansky of the University of Chicago.
Through a combination of curing chronic disease and controlling biological aging factors, the day will come when we live in an “ageless society,” says Ronald Klatz, D.O., M.D., biomedical researcher and president of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine in Chicago, one of the folks who believes that we’ve just begun to climb the ladder of longevity. “We won’t suffer from degenerative diseases like heart disease and cancer that plague us today,” he says. “We’ll just die of total organ shutdown when our cells are no longer able to repair and reproduce. That’s at least around age 160.”
Just as splitting an atom was unthinkable in 1928 (but was accomplished in 1938), so will medical technology advance in ways we can’t begin to imagine, adds Dr. George Webster, researcher in molecular biology and aging. “Each year, the National Library of Medicine receives about 1,700 reports on findings in biomedical research. Who ever imagined that we’d be able to clone a sheep? Yet it didn’t take scientists long to figure that out,” Dr. Webster says.
Scientists have already discovered genes that contribute to aging. They understand how hormones decline over time. They have a handle on how our DNA gets damaged through the years. They’ve studied ways to slow metabolism to prolong life. Now they just have to put it all together, says Dr. Webster. “We’ve been able to more than quadruple the life spans of worms by altering certain genes. Once we understand how these genes work, we can start producing substances that stop their action,” he says. “If medical technology grows during the next 50 years at the pace it has grown during the past 50 years, we could push life expectancy into the hundreds. That’s why I tell men of every age to start living healthfully, because if a 40-year-old or even 60-year-old man can make it another 25 years, he’ll be able to reap the benefits of anti-aging medical technology.”
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Apr 23
The approach to treatment for OSA depends on the outcome of a sleep study and the prevalence of symptoms. Urgent intervention is called for when frequent and severe hypoxaemia during sleep induces physiological changes which are frankly life-threatening. However, many patients are only mildly symptomatic. There may be small fluctuations in oxygen saturation with negligible [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
The approach to treatment for OSA depends on the outcome of a sleep study and the prevalence of symptoms. Urgent intervention is called for when frequent and severe hypoxaemia during sleep induces physiological changes which are frankly life-threatening. However, many patients are only mildly symptomatic. There may be small fluctuations in oxygen saturation with negligible or minor physiological consequences, but essentially their problem remains a sociological one with the potential to develop clinical complications if snoring persists over many years. Treatment for these patients is directed at the underlying cause of snoring.
There is no clear definition of what constitutes mild, moderate and severe OSA. Guidelines have been published by specialists in the field but there will always be some variation from one physician to another regarding the timing and nature of medical intervention. When a diagnosis of advanced OSA is made, the most popular and effective mode of treatment is the application of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, a relatively new innovation developed in Australia in the early 1980′s. The technique offers relief to the user by delivering a stream of air from a pump into a comfortably fitting nose mask via a length of flexible tubing. Air pressure introduced through the nose has been described as an airway “splint”, preventing collapse by providing support in the form of positive pressure. CPAP does have some drawbacks. There are patients who never adapt to the sensation of air pressure applied through the nose mask and others who experience nasal irritation or excessive drying of the upper airway. CPAP has nevertheless proven to be extremely successful in the treatment of OSA, eliminating snoring and many of its debilitating symptoms.
When CPAP is not tolerated, or if circumstances make it impossible for the patient to use it effectively on a regular basis (eg. the very young or mentally handicapped patients), then an operation called a tracheostomy would have to be considered. It involves the surgical formation of a hole into the windpipe (trachea), a procedure which had to be relied upon for urgent relief of airway obstruction before the advent of CPAP. The decision to have a tracheostomy is not made without due consideration of potential problems. It is not well tolerated by many patients because of the social and psychological adjustments that have to be made, particularly as normal speech is impaired.
* Daytime sleepiness
* Morning headaches
* Memory lapses
* Disrupted sleep (waking abruptly with sensations of choking, gasping for breath)
* Excessive night sweating
* Personality changes (irritability, paranoia)
Some of the more apparent symptoms which may be associated with obstructive sleep apnoea. Their incidence and severity will depend on the period of time over which snoring and airway obstruction has occurred.
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Apr 23
The line between health and illness, then, can be somewhat arbitrary, and it is here that the real problems begin because it is not obvious whose responsibility health is. In our society we do not blame people for being ill – even if they themselves nave played a part in the onset of illness. We [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
The line between health and illness, then, can be somewhat arbitrary, and it is here that the real problems begin because it is not obvious whose responsibility health is. In our society we do not blame people for being ill – even if they themselves nave played a part in the onset of illness. We have more ambivalent feelings when it comes to VD and suicide attempts but even then most people do not come down too harshly on the ‘ill’ person.
Although we as a culture do not blame individuals for their illness we do expect them to do simple things to help themselves, and most of us think that ill people should co-operate with doctors to make themselves better. When looked at from a purist’s point of view, much illness is preventable-indeed this book is about what we as individuals can take responsibility for-yet as a culture we have not yet arrived at the stage where we condemn people who do not co-operate, though there are signs that this is starting to happen with smoking-related diseases. Indeed, the anti-smoking campaign in certain western countries has taken something of a dramatic turn recently. But treating smokers as if they were lepers may not be the answer. It could, arguably, push those who would have smoked into other equally dangerous pursuits which fulfill their needs in the circumstances. In the final analysis everyone has the right to kill themselves in the way they choose. The truth is that most will almost certainly do so irrespective of government regulations and social prohibitions. Perhaps the most influential work about health and the lexicalization of modern society is Ivan Illich’s book Medical Nemesis: The Expropriation of Health. In Illich’s view:
Health has ceased to be a native endowment each man is presumed to possess until proven ill, and has become the ever-distant promise to which one is entitled by virtue of social justice. . .
In a morbid society the environment is so rearranged that for most of the time most people lose their power and will for self-sufficiency and finally cease to believe that autonomous action is feasible. The result is a morbid society that demands universal medicalisation and a medical establishment that certifies universal morbidity. In a morbid society the belief prevails that defined and diagnosed ill health is infinitely preferable to any other form of negative label. It is better than criminal or political deviance, better than laziness, better than self-chosen absence from work. More and more people subconsciously know that they are sick and tired of their jobs and of their leisure activities, but they want to be lied to and told that physical illness relieves them of social responsibilities. They want their doctor to act as lawyer and priest. As a lawyer, the doctor exempts the patient from his normal duties and enables him to cash in on the insurance fund he was forced to build. As a priest the doctor becomes an accomplice for the patient, creating the myth that he is an innocent victim of biological mechanisms rather than a lazy, greedy or envious deserter of a social struggle for control over the tools of production. Social life becomes a give and take of therapy, medical, psychiatric, pedagogic or genetic.
In a sense we all control our own health-at least to some extent. We decide on certain health activities (even if they are as simple as cleaning our teeth) and avoid dangerous or illness-promoting situations (by driving carefully, for example), but the level at which we do this depends on all kinds of things, such as our perception of the amount of control we have over our surroundings (and thus our health), our personalities and our social class. Because class is a factor we as a society can influence, perhaps we should look at it in more detail because it has important implications for preventing disease.
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Apr 02
Many of the physical and behavioural problems that occur during a dementing illness make it impossible for a member of the family to carry on caring right up until the end. Under these circumstances, some sufferers will be admitted to a long-term-care ward in one of their local hospitals. Others may instead move to a [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
Many of the physical and behavioural problems that occur during a dementing illness make it impossible for a member of the family to carry on caring right up until the end. Under these circumstances, some sufferers will be admitted to a long-term-care ward in one of their local hospitals. Others may instead move to a private nursing home. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. A hospital has doctors and nurses on site to deal with any complicated medical problems, but they often have to look after too many patients at one time and are really very stretched. In addition, few people in the terminal stages of dementia have medical problems that require a doctor on site.
Nursing homes on the other hand tend to have a more relaxed atmosphere and better staffing ratios. ‘Quality control’ of the care that your relative receives will have to be mainly your responsibility. In a hospital, although it is important that you keep an eye on what is happening, there are many in-built quality control procedures that may not operate in a private nursing home or similar institution.
Many nursing homes won’t wish to take on people with dementia, for various reasons, and the fees for those that will may seem very high. The same is often true for private residential homes. Nevertheless there are a number of statutory grants available, some of which are means-tested, to help families meet the costs of such care. The social worker attached to your local general practice or to the hospital – if the sufferer is attending as an in-patient or day-patient — will be able to give advice on sources of funding and provide you with a list of nursing homes. It is unlikely that social workers will be prepared to recommend one against another and this is only fair as different aspects of different homes will appeal to different people.
Before making the decision that you can no longer cope, do make sure that all possible community resources have been made available to you. Many carers are unaware of the support that they can call upon locally. Many of these services have been described elsewhere, but it is important to realize that even if available in theory, some of them may be very thin on the ground, especially as the number of older people with dementia is rapidly increasing.
Making a decision like this is very much a matter for the family and it is important to discuss it with the other relatives who are involved. You can also take professional advice from the general practitioner, or a member of his or her team, or from an appropriate member of the hospital staff if your relative is a hospital patient.
The difference between nursing homes and residential home needs to be stressed. In the latter, whether provided by the social services, a voluntary body, or privately run, nursing care is not usually available. Each resident has to be fairly independent and more than a minor degree of confusion is unacceptable unless it is a home specifically for the elderly, mentally infirm.
Some homes are dual registered which means that they can take reasonably independent people in the early stages of an illness and continue to care for them when they need the sort of help that is usually only available in a nursing home.
All homes are overseen by either the local authority or the health service, at least in principle. The degree of supervision, however, varies significantly from region to region.
It is very difficult to know which home is most appropriate for a particular individual. What seems best for one person may not suit another at all. Close relatives and carers are often best placed to make this decision, as they will often get a ‘feel’ for the home and for how their relative will fit in there. Don’t accept a place simply because it is the first empty bed that you come across. Visit a number of homes, ask to see around, and inquire about the points listed at the end of this section, as well as any other matters that you think are particularly important.
As you go round the home, try to establish whether it feels homely, whether the residents are sitting around doing nothing; if you see a member of staff talking to or helping a resident, try to assess their attitude. It is also important to look carefully in the bathroom areas for adequate safety features such as rails and non-slip surfaces. Also make sure that it is clean. Above all, try to imagine how happy your relative would be there.
Ask whether it is possible for your relative to be admitted for a fortnight or so in the first instance to see how he or she gets on. This will give everyone an opportunity to assess at first hand how things will go. If a sudden transition is likely to cause a major degree of upset, some homes will allow potential residents to attend on a daily basis several times a week, rather like going to a day centre or a day hospital. This manoeuvre can sometimes be used to ease a person with dementia gently from one environment to another.
Finally, beware of brochures. These can be very helpful, but they can also be extremely misleading. It is better to use your own eyes, to listen carefully, and to try to pick up the general atmosphere. No matter how splendid the surroundings and the fitments may appear to be, don’t forget that the most important aspect of a nursing home is probably the attitude of the staff, both to those that they are looking after and also to their relatives.
Points to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Home
Are rooms shared or single?
Are personal possessions and furniture allowed?
What are the visiting arrangements?
What activities are encouraged, other than watching the television?
What is the menu for a typical week?
Can residents keep their existing general practitioner?
How many trained nursing staff are available during the day and at night?
Have they ever had to ask residents to leave – if so why?
Do residents have their own washing and toilet facilities?
How large are the bedrooms and sitting rooms?
Is there a smell of urine?
How flexible is the daily routine, e.g. mealtimes?
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Apr 02
People who cannot think properly for themselves are far more likely to have accidents that the rest of us would be able to avoid. It is important to lock away poisons and medicines, to be wary of gas stoves and fires, and to take care over hot objects or those containing boiling water or other [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
People who cannot think properly for themselves are far more likely to have accidents that the rest of us would be able to avoid. It is important to lock away poisons and medicines, to be wary of gas stoves and fires, and to take care over hot objects or those containing boiling water or other fluids. Trailing flexes, loose mats, and other hazards of this type should be tidied up and it may be necessary to put locks on certain doors and windows. Take particular care if a person with dementia is a smoker – never leave him or her alone with cigarettes, pipe tobacco, and matches. Make sure that the hot water in your system isn’t so hot that it can burn skin, if hands are unwarily plunged into a basinful or a person steps into a bathful.
If the stairs are a potential hazard, especially at night, consider installing a gate at the top, possibly with an attached alarm that will let you know when it is being opened. A similar gate may also be helpful at the bottom of the stairs. Make sure that the handrails on the stairs are adequate and if there aren’t any, you should think of installing some, as they can often be grabbed at the last moment if a person becomes unsteady.
Most accidents happen in the kitchen, with the stairs and the bathroom following closely behind. Think carefully about your own and ask relatives of other people with dementia about their experiences. It is better to take precautions to prevent an accident rather than have to cope with the consequences of one. Both the gas and electricity boards are aware of the problems posed by people with dementia and will advise and help in making cookers, fires, and other equipment safe. Rails around the toilet and near the handbasin, and non-slip mats in the bath or shower are also a good investment.
Lastly, don’t forget that you too will be more prone to accidents. It is well established that people who are living under additional stress and strain, constantly rushing to get things done and often exhausted from lack of sleep, are much more likely to have an accident. It is very important to take care of yourself.
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Apr 02
The general practitioner is usually the key person involved in organizing the care for anybody living at home with a chronic degenerative condition. It is essential that both patient and carers have confidence in and get on with their family doctor. Unfortunately there are always going to be some people who feel that the relationship [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
The general practitioner is usually the key person involved in organizing the care for anybody living at home with a chronic degenerative condition. It is essential that both patient and carers have confidence in and get on with their family doctor. Unfortunately there are always going to be some people who feel that the relationship with their general practitioner is unsatisfactory. This is, however, often as much the fault of the patient and the patient’s family as it is the doctor’s.
Many patients visit their doctor and for a host of reasons fail to get across why they have really made the appointment. It is easy to describe a simple physical problem that can be demonstrated such as a rash or a swollen joint, but often much more difficult to describe adequately less tangible conditions, particularly those associated with stress. Before visiting your doctor therefore it is important to get quite clear in your own mind what the problem really is and how it has affected your day to day life. This means, whether the problem is affecting you or someone else, deciding in your own mind what is really wrong. You also need to have an idea beforehand of what sort of action you hope the doctor will take. If you are worried about forgetting things, jot down a few points on a piece of paper, more in the form of notes to jog your own memory rather than as a lengthy account for the doctor to read.
If you wish to tell the doctor that you are worried about an elderly relative’s mental condition, rather than just saying that the person in question is becoming more forgetful, be prepared to describe what is happening and how seriously you regard the problem. Have examples ready of how the forgetfulness or muddled thinking is having an important impact on the life of the person concerned and those around them. If you want a careful analysis made of the forgetfulness or confusion, make sure that the doctor is aware that you want a proper assessment of whether the condition is the result simply of old age or of an early form of dementia. You must also be ready to tell him that if it is dementia, you want the underlying cause diagnosed, just in case it is one of the treatable conditions. Try not to make it appear as if you are demanding action, but rather let the doctor know that you are concerned and are seeking his support and advice.
If, despite this, the matter doesn’t appear to be taken seriously, particularly if the doctor hasn’t examined the patient and has not requested a second opinion, tell him that you realize that blood and other tests are probably necessary to rule out conditions such as glandular disorders and nutritional deficiencies, and that you would be prepared to go to hospital for a second opinion if he would prefer that. Above all, don’t be put off; but at the same time try to handle the situation tactfully if you think your problems are being treated with disinterest.
It is very important that you listen carefully to what the doctor says. Most people, including myself, feel anxious when seeking medical advice for themselves or their family. This results in a tendency to want to make sure that the doctor has heard all that you wish to say, often in the way in which you want to say it, which may result in your not answering his questions accurately; more importantly you may not take in what he says to you. If at the end of the consultation you are not quite clear about what has been decided, ask your doctor to summarize the action that he is going to take.
There are all sorts of doctors just as there are all sorts of people. If you don’t get on with your doctor you must change to somebody else. This often seems an incredibly difficult obstacle to overcome, but it really is very important. If you are looking after somebody with dementia, you are going to need help, increasingly so, over many years. Doctors realize that they won’t always relate well to every patient or relative. If you feel you have this type of problem, summon up the courage to discuss it with your doctor and explain the reasons in a friendly and tactful manner. He will probably understand and a discussion of this nature can often lead to a better understanding, making a change unnecessary. An alternative approach is to arrange to see a different member of the practice on a subsequent occasion. One of the benefits of large group practices is that there is a greater likelihood of most people’s needs being met by at least one of the partners.
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Apr 02
Alzheimer’s disease is probably the most difficult of the dementing illnesses to distinguish from the changes of normal ageing. As mentioned before, there is indeed some degree of memory impairment in many people as they grow older although this may not be as great as was once imagined. As the earliest sign of Alzheimer’s disease [...] [...more]
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Tags: General health
Alzheimer’s disease is probably the most difficult of the dementing illnesses to distinguish from the changes of normal ageing. As mentioned before, there is indeed some degree of memory impairment in many people as they grow older although this may not be as great as was once imagined. As the earliest sign of Alzheimer’s disease is often exaggerated memory loss, there is often a grey area in the interpretation of tests of memory function. It is therefore often necessary to test memory function on successive occasions over several months before one can be certain whether or not Alzheimer’s disease is present.
There are many tests of intellectual function; some are very long and complicated and others are simple and quick. As one might expect, the shorter and simpler the test, the more likely it is that the information will be unhelpful or inaccurate. Nevertheless because of the time involved, the initial tests often have to be the short and simple ones. Many of these are employed by district nurses, health visitors, and doctors when they first meet a person with suspected dementia. The tests usually involve a few questions that are designed to gauge different types of memory function — the ability to use language correctly and parietal lobe function. The performance of more complicated tasks such as the ability to carry out simple calculations may also be examined. In many ways these are most useful if the results are normal. An abnormal result will not diagnose dementia; on the contrary, it will indicate that something is wrong and that further assessment is required. In difficult cases the patient will need to be referred to a qualified psychologist who will perform the more extensive and sensitive tests. These will usually go a long way towards determining whether or not dementia is present, and may also provide information that will help in deciding which condition may be causing the dementia.
Nowadays many of these tests have been put on to computer; colourful images on a television screen help to keep the attention of the person being tested and reduce the opportunity for inaccurate responses to creep in because of adverse interactions between the patient and the person doing the testing.
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